Talking Pools Podcast
If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.
Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.
Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.
Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.
If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.
Talking Pools Podcast
Explaining Metric to an American
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this lively episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Peter from the Mondays Down Under show takes on the challenging task of explaining the metric system to Steve from the Thursdays with Wayne and Steve show. The conversation, which begins with Peter’s well-structured attempt to demystify the metric units of measurement, quickly spirals into a chaotic yet entertaining exchange as Steve veers off-topic.
Steve shares a series of humorous and frustrating stories about the unique challenges of servicing swimming pools in California. His anecdotes cover everything from dealing with California’s strict regulations to the quirks of the local clientele, all while Peter persistently tries to steer the conversation back to the metric system.
The episode is a rollercoaster of laughs and insights, showcasing the dynamic chemistry between the hosts and offering listeners a mix of technical knowledge and lighthearted banter. Despite Peter's best efforts to keep things on track, Steve's stories ultimately take center stage, making for an episode that's as informative as it is entertaining.
BufferZoneBufferZone has been created by a frustrated pool maintenance company
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:
Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
[Intro Music Playing]
Peter: G'day everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Mondays Down Under here on the Talking Pools Podcast. Today, I've got a special guest with me, Steve from Thursdays with Wayne and Steve. How are you doing, mate?
Steve: Hey, Peter! Doing great, man. Ready to dive into... whatever we're talking about today. [Laughs]
Peter: Glad to hear it, Steve. So, today I thought we’d tackle something that often trips people up: the metric system. I know it’s not something you use much in the States, but it’s pretty much the standard everywhere else, including Down Under.
Steve: Ah, the metric system. You know, I’ve always been more of a feet and inches kind of guy, but I’m game! Let’s hear it.
Peter: Alright, so let’s start with some basics. In the metric system, we use meters for length, kilograms for weight, and liters for volume. For example, when we’re measuring a pool, we’d use meters to get the length and width, and liters to determine the volume of water it can hold.
Steve: Meters and liters, got it. But let me tell you, Peter, in California, we don’t just have to worry about measurements. We’ve got regulations up to our eyeballs! You wouldn’t believe the paperwork we have to go through just to clean a pool sometimes. It’s like they expect us to have a law degree!
Peter: [Chuckles] I can imagine, mate, but let’s try to stick to the metric system for now. So, as I was saying, when we—
Steve: Speaking of paperwork, did I ever tell you about the time I got fined because a customer complained about a single leaf in their pool? A leaf, Peter! And of course, they reported it to the city because, in California, even a leaf can be a big deal. I had to spend the entire afternoon filling out forms just to prove I was doing my job.
Peter: [Trying to regain focus] Right, that sounds like a nightmare, Steve, but back to the metric system. Another thing to remember is that we use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit for temperature, which can really make a difference when you're adjusting chemicals—
Steve: Oh, temperature adjustments! You wouldn’t believe how many people think their pool should be as warm as their bathtub. I had this one customer who demanded I keep their pool at 90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. I had to explain to them that their heater wasn’t meant to work that hard, and they’d be looking at a massive energy bill. But no, they insisted! Eventually, the heater gave out, and who do you think got blamed?
Peter: [Laughs] Sounds like a classic case of customer knows best, right? But about Celsius—Steve, you’re really taking us off the rails here!
Steve: [Laughing] Sorry, Peter, I just get so worked up thinking about these things. But okay, back to Celsius... or was it meters?
Peter: [Sighs, but with a smile] We’re trying to get through both, Steve, both. Now, if we could just focus for a moment on how the metric system can make things a bit easier, especially when you’re calculating chemical dosages...
Steve: Chemical dosages, huh? Funny you mention that. I once had this job where the pool owner decided to go all DIY and poured in way too much chlorine. I mean, they must have thought they were sterilizing a hospital. The pool was practically a chemical soup when I got there. And of course, they didn’t mention it until I was knee-deep in the water, feeling like I was in some kind of chemical warfare.
Peter: [Laughs, shaking his head] Steve, mate, I don’t know how we’re ever going to get through this metric system talk. Maybe we should just rename this episode to “Steve’s California Pool Service Adventures.”
Steve: [Laughs] Hey, if it gets us more listeners, I’m all for it. But okay, okay, I’ll try to behave. So... Celsius, meters, liters—what else you got for me?
Peter: [Chuckles] Let’s just leave it at that for today. I think our listeners got the gist, even if we did take a few detours along the way.
Steve: [Grinning] It’s all about the journey, Peter, not the destination.
Peter: [Laughs] That it is, mate. That it is. Alright, everyone, thanks for tuning in. We’ll catch you next time on Mondays Down Under. And Steve, let’s try to keep it a bit more on track next time, yeah?
Steve: No promises! [Laughs]
[Outro Music Playing]
